Thiruvananthapuram:  Finance minister Thomas Isaac said in his budget speech that the high speed rail project would be one of the projects that warrants highest investment in Kerala. The aerial survey has been completed and moves for land takeover will be initiated this year itself.  After the land is acquired, the government plans to complete the project within 3 years.

Many agencies have come forward to invest in this project. It does not cover rail projects alone. New service roads will also be included in this.  Five townships would be formed and within a span of 4 hours, one can reach Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod just for Rs 1457. By 2024-25, as many as 67,775 passengers will use the facility and over 1 lakh by 2051.

Though only 10 stations will be set up, it would have 28 feeder stations.  Short distance trains too would ply. This project will also enable RoRo service for transportation of goods.  In the initial stage, jobs would be provided to 50000 persons and after construction, around 10,000 would be provided jobs.

The minister also informed that many agencies have voiced their interest in investing in the township.